title: Prevention of blood transfusion with intravenous iron in gynecologic cancer patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the efficacy of intravenous iron and oral iron for prevention of blood transfusions in gynecologic cancer patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four non anemic gynecologic cancer patients receiving adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy were stratified and randomized according to baseline hemoglobin levels and chemotherapy regimen. The study group received 200mg of intravenous iron sucrose immediately after each chemotherapy infusion. The control group received oral ferrous fumarate at a dose of 200mg three times a day. Complete blood count was monitored before each chemotherapy infusion. Blood transfusions were given if hemoglobin level was below 10mg/dl.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 32 patients in each group. No significant differences in baseline hemoglobin levels and baseline characteristics were demonstrated between both groups. Nine patients (28.1%) in the study group and 18 patients (56.3%) in the control group required blood transfusion through 6 cycles of chemotherapy (p=0.02). Fewer median number of total packed red cell units were required in the study group compared to the control group (0 and 0.5 unit, respectively, p=0.04). Serious adverse events and hypersensitivity reactions were not reported. However, constipation was significantly higher in the control group (3.1% and 40.6%, p=<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous iron is an effective, well-tolerated treatment for primary prevention of blood transfusions in gynecologic cancer patients receiving platinum-based chemotherapy, associated with less constipation than the oral formulation.
authors.affiliation: Gynecologic Oncology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Punnada
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Athibovonsuk
authors.forename: Tarinee
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Manchana
authors.forename: Nakarin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sirisabya
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005937:Glucaric Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006397:Hematinics / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds; D006397:Hematinics; D006454:Hemoglobins; D016190:Carboplatin; D000077605:Ferric Oxide, Saccharated; D017239:Paclitaxel; D005937:Glucaric Acid
keywords: Anemia; Blood transfusion; Chemotherapy; Gynecologic cancer; Intravenous iron